Dates: 20 February – 1 March 2026Teachers: Jill Shepherd and Di RobertsonLocation: Te Moata Retreat Centre, Tairua, Aotearoa / New Zealand Requisites for the journey: The seven factors of awakening Insight meditation harnesses the power of mindfulness to develop understanding in all aspects of our lives, which leads to greater ease, happiness, and freedom.In thisContinueContinue reading “NEW nine-day retreat – registration now open”
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NEW: planned six-week retreat in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Dates: 3 April – 22 May 2027Teachers: Jill Shepherd and Willa Thāniyā Reid, with Elizabeth Day Kalyāna: Cultivating the Beautiful in the Spiritual Life The Buddha has pointed out the way:beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle,and beautiful in the end. Supported by spiritual friendship and seclusion, this six-week retreat offers the ideal conditionsContinueContinue reading “NEW: planned six-week retreat in Aotearoa / New Zealand”
Inhumanity and humanity
Man’s inhumanity to man,Makes countless thousands mourn. Robert Burns Following the recent extreme violence in Israel, perhaps like many of you I’ve felt pretty numb, struggling to make sense of the senseless. This discomfort is trivial compared to the suffering of those who are directly affected, and words are utterly inadequate in response to overwhelmingContinueContinue reading “Inhumanity and humanity”
Dharma as confrontation and consolation – Part 2: Consolation
A few practices that might help mitigate sorrow and despair flower offerings at Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya, India Mettā / kindness and rest A short talk exploring mettā: how it’s supported by our capacity to rest, and is itself a restful quality In the language of the suttas, the Buddha’s discourses, many of the words thatContinueContinue reading “Dharma as confrontation and consolation – Part 2: Consolation”
Dharma as confrontation and consolation – Part 1: Confrontation
A few perspectives on confronting the reality of the climate crisis. Blue Mountains backburn – photograph by John Orme US dharma teacher James Baraz As a Dharma teacher who is very concerned about climate, I have been aware for some time that practitioners are often resistant to hearing Dharma talks on this subject. I haveContinueContinue reading “Dharma as confrontation and consolation – Part 1: Confrontation”
Glimmers of Good News p2
In relation to the climate crisis … A few resources and trainings that might help us to stay motivated in the face of so much intensely difficult news. Despairing about the Climate Crisis? Read This A conversation with scientist Susanne Moser about climate communication, the benefits of functional denial, and the varied flavors of hope.ContinueContinue reading “Glimmers of Good News p2”
Glimmers of Good News p1
In relation to social justice, some recent shifts in the media, in the UK … Cotton Capital A special series by the Guardian newspaper on how slavery changed the Guardian, Britain and the world. It focuses on Manchester, the city where the Guardian was established, because of its connection to transatlantic slavery through the cottonContinueContinue reading “Glimmers of Good News p1”
Some information and support for Ukraine
Lovingkindness In Troubled Times Metta Meditation & Community Gathering organised by IMS At times it seems like goodness may be getting harder and harder to find. In this moment, all around the globe—from Ukraine to Ethiopia, Afghanistan to Myanmar, as well as in the fractured United States—the prevalent expressions of grasping, hatred, and delusion canContinueContinue reading “Some information and support for Ukraine”
Some Climate Change Actions and Trainings
ONLINE EcoSattva Training – Series 3: An Online Course for Aspiring EcoSattvas In the backdrop of a pandemic and state actors actively hostile to science, ecological breakdown looms. The potential for overwhelm is real. While we take steps to demand racial justice, protect voting rights, or defend ecosystems, we can also invest in our innerContinueContinue reading “Some Climate Change Actions and Trainings”
Some bhikkhuni news from around the world
Sri Lanka Bhikkhuni Kusuma passes away 28 August 2021 The internationally acclaimed Buddhist monastic, scholar, and vocal advocate for full female monastic ordination Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma Devendra died of Covid complications late on Saturday in Sri Lanka. She was 92 years old. photo from Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women Some personal reflections on meeting BhikkhuniContinueContinue reading “Some bhikkhuni news from around the world”
Jill Shepherd: insight meditation 